“The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of a China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” Explain. (Answer in 150 words)

China challenges the United States across military, economic, technological and institutional domains, unlike the narrower primarily ideological–military Soviet challenge.

Why more complex

• China is deeply integrated into global trade, supply chains and US-linked finance, creating interdependence alongside rivalry.
• Its manufacturing scale, technology ambitions, cyber capability and strategic infrastructure provide comprehensive power.
• Military modernisation and claims in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait challenge US alliances and Indo-Pacific access.
• China offers an alternative governance and development narrative to the liberal order.

Limits to the comparison

• China faces demographic, debt, environmental and alliance constraints; the Soviet Union possessed a larger ideological bloc and nuclear parity.
• Competition also requires cooperation on climate, health and global stability.

Keywords: constitutional values; governance; public institutions; accountability; inclusive development.